Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas Announced for Early Summer 2013 Opening

After lacking a formal water park for some years, Las Vegas has now had their second one announced: Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas.  The 50's and 60's surf themed water park comes after the October announcement of Wet 'n' Wild Las Vegas, to be located in Summerlin, with Cowabunga Bay located in Henderson.

Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas follows the successful development of a smaller water park of the same name near Salt Lake City, Utah, though the Vegas property will be much larger.  Sitting on 23 acres, the new water park will feature an innovative collection of slides and attractions.

Taking a peek at the park map, you can get a feel for how the park will be laid out.  There will actually be three separately themed areas.  Aloha Shores will have a Hawaiian feel to it, and feature the park's children's area and a first of its kind water slide.  Surf City U.S.A. features the park's wave pool and a gigantic six story play structure said to have the world's largest splash.  Finally, The Boardwalk will contain slides for all ages, a lazy river, and some fun looking mat racing slides that feature and uphill section.

The world's first water slide can be seen here, known at the park as Wild Surf.  Described by the park, "four-person rafts drop from a dizzying height of 55’ feet into the world’s largest man-made wave. Inside riders will splash through the crest of the wave and then ride up one side, then back down. Back and forth, to and fro, several times before they exit."

The new slide is being designed specifically for the park by Polin, who appears to be creating several of the slide towers at the park.

The Surfin' U.S.A. racing slides are another highlight, as six racers slide down over a series of gentle hills.  They then dip an addition fifteen feet below grade, passing under a pedestrian bridge, and back uphill to the finish.   

Another creative set of slides features a massive bowl slide in the middle, wrapped by a colorful assortment of four slides.  One of them will be the first of its kind in the country, and has two enormous chambers in which riders will oscillate up the walls, only to drop out and continue on their journey.

Cowabunga Bay will also have a nice assortment of food and beverage locations, and according to this story will feature an optional skip-the-line system.  Additional amenities, such as VIP cabanas, will be available to guests.

The park just had its official groundbreaking and hopes to open in Summer 2013.